Guest Designer Penny - UWYH #20

Hey Sweets! I'm so excited to be back on the blog today (it's Nicole :) --- feels like it's been a while and I miss you!

Anyway, we have a really fun guest designer spotlight today and then we'll dive right into the challenge. Sound good?! Ok, let's get started...

I'd like to introduce Penny

Here's a little something about Penny in her own words...


Hi everyone...My name is Penny Ward (and my little dog Snowy).

As a Guest Designer today, I would like to thank everyone at Sweet Stamp Shop for the invitation. I have had so much fun playing with your stamps and getting inky.


I have been card making for about three years after retiring from a Fortune 500 company. I was hooked when I saw all the pretty papers and tools. When you get a spare moment, click over for a visit to my blog Penny Ward Ink.

Visit Penny on her blog - HERE

Let's check out what Penny had up her sleeve using the new 'Whats For Dinner' and 'Made By'

Ohh- look she even used some of the 'City Scape' ... isn't that cute?! Thanks so much to Penny for playing along with some sweet! Make sure to stop and give a **sweet** hello to Penny at her blog - HERE.


So are we ready for the new challenge! Yes PLEASE!!

It's time to announce the winner from the challenge #19 -

Congrats to Michelle Duffy and her single layer card... it's really genius and a great use of her stamp stash --- funny enough, we're using our stamp stash for this weeks challenge - so stay tuned! If you want to see the card in all it's glory visit Michelle - HERE

Michelle - email us your address and we'll get something right out to you!

______________________

Let's just take a moment to go over the rules...

Read through the directions carefully - we've changed just a couple things... (well, not really changed - just made more clear) 

You'll have until next Tuesday to add your link below - your link needs to be to the direct post not to your general blog - and it needs to include -

1. A link back to our challenge (and optional - our challenge badge - see above)

2. A picture of your stash

3. A picture of your project

Some Extra Details -

1. You do not *have to* use SSS in your card or project - although, we'd love it! (and we can't feature your project in our marketing without you using SWEET! - so keep that in mind!)

2. You have until Tuesday at 10pm pst to add your link below

3. There will be ONE winner based upon most creative use of 'old stuff' .... and ONE winner drawn from all the participants. Winners will be announced the day of the new challenge - so, in this case... next Wednesday. Prize will be something sweet - lol. REMINDER - NEW RULE - In order for us to have TWO winners we must have AT LEAST 15 entries (by 15 different people - multiple entries don't count towards the 15) in the challenge! If not, then we'll just award the one person who used their stash the best. SO, SHARE the challenge and get your friends on board! 

4. Entries limited to 3 per person. Thanks! 

MOST IMPORTANT!!! Create whatever strikes your fancy - scrapbook page, project life - cards - altered art - home decor.... anything! Just be sure to use that old stuff in it!

INTERNATIONAL participation is welcome - but, prizes will be shipped at the expense of the participant. 

__________________________

This week we're all about using our stamp stash! --- Yep, we have yet to do a challenge where we spotlighted STAMPS (how weird is that... lol)


As you can imagine - I stamp A LOT. lol --- And, when I sit down to stamp I really try to use the stamps in ways that people might not consider. Like using a Christmas themed set for a birthday card... or grabbing our baby set for a holiday card.... Do you know why I do that? (yes, it does have a little something to do with the fact that I want to show the versatility of stamping) BUT, in art school you're taught that the more comfortable you get with thinking 'outside the box' the better you'll be 'in the box' ... so the more I use stamps for themes that perhaps they're not 'made for' --- the better I can think of cards that the stamp set WAS made for.... SO, this challenge I really want you to think outside the box ... from stamps - to ribbon - or ink - or anything... use it in a way that doesn't seem obvious!


My tip for making your stamps more versatile is to CUT them... YEP! Cut off the parts that make it 'specific' ... for example - in the new Speedy Greetings set.... (check out the car)

Speedy Greetings

See the 'Special Delivery' in the middle of the car?! This set would be so much more versatile if I cut off that portion of the stamp. (you'll see) --- So, grab your Exacto Knife and start making one clean cut. (you'll want to do this carefully - not because you'll break or rip the stamp - but, because you want the two pieces to easily fit back together - so you can use the stamp either with the element or without)

So, now that's out of the way --- look what I can make ...

A 16th birthday card - featuring the Car - and some cute embellishments - like, the flair .. 'this just got real' ... lol

Or - what about a Super Hero style birthday card - with Super 'speedy' Birthday Wishes --- :) I used the 'Super Mom' set with this card - and it went PERFECT!

Super Mom

***** Please advert your eyes now if you're easily offended at 'hunting' type cards (I think this card is hilarious - but, I know not everyone has my sense of humor.) Don't worry NO DEER was hurt in the making of this card******




This is my personal favorite card --- thinking outside the box...

How funny is this?! My Dad would LOVE this card. It's perfect for the 'hunting' men in your life - or just for someone who likes a good giggle. Don't worry, no deer was hurt in the making of this card :)


I used the 'target' and the sentiment from our 'Wheely Like You' stamp set...

Wheely Like You 

Ok - so now are you inspired to look again at that stash of yours and use it in a way that you might not have thought of?!


I can't wait to see what you'll make! --- Please feel free to add your link below!

Happy Stamping,

N.

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Guest Designer: Tori -- UWYH#19

Hello Happy Sweeties!

Nicole here today with another fun double duty post... we're excited to show off one of our guest designers... and of course, the new challenge.... let's just dig right in...


Meet Tori...

Hi! My name is Tori Holman and I live in sunny San Diego. I love making any kind of craft but my forte is card making. I also love painting, sewing, and reading  I was married to my best friend, Jeremy in 2010 and we now have a 1 year old daughter named Ava. I find her in my craft stuff all the time, making the saying true, like mother like daughter. I am so excited to be sharing my projects with all you sweet peeps and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

We're so happy to welcome her to the guest designing sweet family! Check out the card she made...

SO creative - right?! Can you guess which she used?! CITY SCAPE! WOWIE!

City Scape

Ok - moving right along...

We're back with #19! And, we're happy that you're loving these challenges as much as we are... would you like to hear the winner from last week?!

We just love this card from Samantha Mann...

It's just so darn CUTE - head over to her blog to peek at the entire card - HERE 

Samantha - email us your address and we'll get something right out to you! 

______________________

Let's just take a moment to go over the rules...

Read through the directions carefully - we've changed just a couple things... (well, not really changed - just made more clear) 

You'll have until next Tuesday to add your link below - your link needs to be to the direct post not to your general blog - and it needs to include -

1. A link back to our challenge (and optional - our challenge badge - see above)

2. A picture of your stash

3. A picture of your project

Some Extra Details -

1. You do not *have to* use SSS in your card or project - although, we'd love it! (and we can't feature your project in our marketing without you using SWEET! - so keep that in mind!)

2. You have until Tuesday at 10pm pst to add your link below

3. There will be ONE winner based upon most creative use of 'old stuff' .... and ONE winner drawn from all the participants. Winners will be announced the day of the new challenge - so, in this case... next Wednesday. Prize will be something sweet - lol. REMINDER - NEW RULE - In order for us to have TWO winners we must have AT LEAST 15 entries (by 15 different people - multiple entries don't count towards the 15) in the challenge! If not, then we'll just award the one person who used their stash the best. SO, SHARE the challenge and get your friends on board! 

4. Entries limited to 3 per person. Thanks! 

MOST IMPORTANT!!! Create whatever strikes your fancy - scrapbook page, project life - cards - altered art - home decor.... anything! Just be sure to use that old stuff in it!

INTERNATIONAL participation is welcome - but, prizes will be shipped at the expense of the participant.  

__________________________

Typically we have an inspirational board - but, this week I decided to play along with another one of my favorite challenges - and do a 'double duty' card! 

(What's a double duty card? --- It's when you make one card that works for several challenges) And, today my cards fit quite nicely with the '10 minute Craft Dash' 

I loved those colors and I wanted to challenge myself to make a card that *wasn't* halloween or fall themed.... so I came up with...

Isn't that fun?! I was able to just come under the 10 minute requirement... the stop watch was at 9 something. (I forgot to make a note - lol) You know what helped? Having a simple card in mind.. not too many different techniques - and just 'creating'!

I made sure to use some of my HUGE ribbon stash... sorry for the dark grainy picture - I kinda don't want to clearly own up to my whole collection :) --- Isn't that a lovely ribbon rack my Dad built me!!?

I used three different sets...

Admit One 

Spin Me 

Dots Background

Ok - now it's your turn - go out and search for a couple challenges that fit your fancy... be sure to USE WHAT YOU HAVE! --- and link it up here!!

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UWYH Challenge #18

It's #18 - that's right - we've been at this challenge for 18 weeks and it's been so much fun for me! I should first mention TWO things... the halloween sale is still going strong... (I actually think we're sold out of a couple of these... but, we still have some left of the others)

For a limited time - and limited to stamps on hand - we've got all our halloween stamps 50% off. Some of these are going to retire and never come back - so snatch up your favorites before we bid farewell!

Check them out in the shop HERE 

Next, I don't know if you heard but, we've got FLAIR in the shop! WOWIE! We're in love... and we think you will be too!

Take a moment and check out the new flair in the shop HERE. We introduced this new product with really limited quantities - so, if you love em' - grab em' !! 

Now for the winner of last week - and although we didn't have as many participating in the challenge as usual... wow, we were totally blown away at the creations that were added! So - big HIGH FIVE! and, a THANK YOU!! 

But, there can be only one.... winner that is... and we thought the best use of old supplies was ... 

Kim G

Congrats KIM! Email us at info@sweetstampshop.com with your address and we'll get something sweet right out to you! 

______________________

Let's just take a moment to go over the rules...

Read through the directions carefully - we've changed just a couple things... (well, not really changed - just made more clear) 

You'll have until next Tuesday to add your link below - your link needs to be to the direct post not to your general blog - and it needs to include -

1. A link back to our challenge (and optional - our challenge badge - see above)

2. A picture of your stash

3. A picture of your project

Some Extra Details -

1. You do not *have to* use SSS in your card or project - although, we'd love it! (and we can't feature your project in our marketing without you using SWEET! - so keep that in mind!)

2. You have until Tuesday at 10pm pst to add your link below

3. There will be ONE winner based upon most creative use of 'old stuff' .... and ONE winner drawn from all the participants. Winners will be announced the day of the new challenge - so, in this case... next Wednesday. Prize will be something sweet - lol. REMINDER - NEW RULE - In order for us to have TWO winners we must have AT LEAST 15 entries (by 15 different people - multiple entries don't count towards the 15) in the challenge! If not, then we'll just award the one person who used their stash the best. SO, SHARE the challenge and get your friends on board! 

4. Entries limited to 3 per person. Thanks! 

MOST IMPORTANT!!! Create whatever strikes your fancy - scrapbook page, project life - cards - altered art - home decor.... anything! Just be sure to use that old stuff in it!

INTERNATIONAL participation is welcome - but, prizes will be shipped at the expense of the participant.  

__________________________

Typically we have an inspirational board - but, this week I decided to play along with another one of my favorite challenges - and do a 'double duty' card! 

(What's a double duty card? --- It's when you make one card that works for several challenges) And, today my cards fit quite nicely with the current CAS-ology challenge  

So, I decided to break out my 'Fall Gratitude' --- IT'S BACK IN STOCK!! 

Fall Gratitude 

I also dug out my barely used (trying to fix that) ink pads... 

And I made this card... 

I used some of our new flair - from the 'greetings' set... 

Card Greetings Flair

And, while I was making that card... THE IDEA OF THE CENTURY HIT ME (large booming noise) ... I thought... oh, man - I could cut up some of these feathers in orange and brown --- and then, make a TURKEY! 

AND.... here it is... 

SWOON - it turned out just as amazing as I had pictured! HOW CUTE, right?! I used the Chevron Flair with this one... 

Colorful Chevron 

And, of course I pulled out my favorite little Thanksgiving set... Turkey Hotline

Turkey Hotline 

So, I challenge YOU to make a 'double duty' card... and you know - with us, that's easy because with our challenge ANYTHING GOES (as long as you use your stash!) 

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Use What You Have Challenge #17

Hooray we're back! Sorry for last week - our link widget expired - then we updated it - and then I couldn't get it to work - then I could - and then it was a couple days after.... and here we are, skipped a week. lol

ANYWAY!

Are you ready for this week, the winner from last week - and a SALE?! Yep, we've got all three...


First, the sale...

For a limited time - and limited to stamps on hand - we've got all our halloween stamps 50% off. Some of these are going to retire and never come back - so snatch up your favorites before we bid farewell!

Check them out in the shop HERE 

Next up is the winner of last week - we had almost 10 enteries and they were all SO good! Thank you! The winner of the challenge last week - using old supplies and cutest card was....

Carolina Di

Congrats! Email us at info@sweetstampshop.com with your name and your address and we'll get a little something sweet right out to you!

______________________

Let's just take a moment to go over the rules...

Read through the directions carefully - we've changed just a couple things... (well, not really changed - just made more clear) 

You'll have until next Tuesday to add your link below - your link needs to be to the direct post not to your general blog - and it needs to include -

1. A link back to our challenge (and optional - our challenge badge - see above)

2. A picture of your stash

3. A picture of your project

Some Extra Details -

1. You do not *have to* use SSS in your card or project - although, we'd love it! (and we can't feature your project in our marketing without you using SWEET! - so keep that in mind!)

2. You have until Tuesday at 10pm pst to add your link below

3. There will be ONE winner based upon most creative use of 'old stuff' .... and ONE winner drawn from all the participants. Winners will be announced the day of the new challenge - so, in this case... next Wednesday. Prize will be something sweet - lol. REMINDER - NEW RULE - In order for us to have TWO winners we must have AT LEAST 15 entries (by 15 different people - multiple entries don't count towards the 15) in the challenge! If not, then we'll just award the one person who used their stash the best. SO, SHARE the challenge and get your friends on board! 

4. Entries limited to 3 per person. Thanks! 

MOST IMPORTANT!!! Create whatever strikes your fancy - scrapbook page, project life - cards - altered art - home decor.... anything! Just be sure to use that old stuff in it!

INTERNATIONAL participation is welcome - but, prizes will be shipped at the expense of the participant.  

__________________________

Here is the inspirational sketch and picture/color combo for this week... 

REMINDER  - you can use the sketch - the photo - the colors - or all three --- OR none! It's completely up to you! 

You know what I have a TON of - something I don't use near as often as I should.... my punches... 

Ohhh, I have a bunch of halloween punches I need to use too! Yikes. SOON! 

Anyway... wanna see my card this week - I used the sketch - the picture and the color combo. I wanted it to be classy - classic - and PRETTY! 

Really like how it turned out. I used vellum to soften the diamonds... love that. 

Easily Distracted

I hope that you're inspired and ready to get your challenge on! 

Ready - set - GO! 

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Use What You Have Challenge #16

It's that time again! Challenge day! Quick reminder before we jump right in.... we just had a release yesterday - We released 3 new stamp sets ... 'Easily Distracted' - 'Super Mom' and - 'Made By #2' ---

The coupon code for the new releases {and we threw in all the regular priced Halloween stamps too!} is NRS25 .... that's good for 25% off the three new sets AND the regular priced Halloween sets.... like the halloween characters.... you remember this haunted house I did - right?

 Grab up those little characters for 25% off - only until tomorrow at noon! They're HERE in the shop.

__________________________________

We have to apologize - the link for the last challenge closed early - oops. But, thank you to the extra ladies who just put their entries into the 'comments' section. That works too! Thank you for 'going with the flow' ---- I must have pressed the wrong date on the linkie tool.... gonna try not to do that again :)

So, here is our winner from last week - she was GENIUS in her use of old supplies and I just must insist that you go to her blog and get the 'whole story' HERE.... she used embossing plates that had been in her stash for some time, but - they had never been used - because she doesn't own the machine. ---- So, she got creative and used the plates like a stamp.... GENIUS! right?!

Congrats to Michele D. and her win this week! - Check out the card and then head to her blog for the details - it's SO COOL! Michele, email us with your address and we'll get something right out to you!

Michele D. 

 ______________________________

Read through the directions carefully - we've changed just a couple things... (well, not really changed - just made more clear) 

You'll have until next Tuesday to add your link below - your link needs to be to the direct post not to your general blog - and it needs to include -

1. A link back to our challenge (and optional - our challenge badge - see above)

2. A picture of your stash

3. A picture of your project

Some Extra Details -

1. You do not *have to* use SSS in your card or project - although, we'd love it! (and we can't feature your project in our marketing without you using SWEET! - so keep that in mind!)

2. You have until Tuesday at 10pm pst to add your link below

3. There will be ONE winner based upon most creative use of 'old stuff' .... and ONE winner drawn from all the participants. Winners will be announced the day of the new challenge - so, in this case... next Wednesday. Prize will be something sweet - lol. REMINDER - NEW RULE - In order for us to have TWO winners we must have AT LEAST 15 entries (by 15 different people - multiple entries don't count towards the 15) in the challenge! If not, then we'll just award the one person who used their stash the best. SO, SHARE the challenge and get your friends on board! 

4. Entries limited to 3 per person. Thanks! 

MOST IMPORTANT!!! Create whatever strikes your fancy - scrapbook page, project life - cards - altered art - home decor.... anything! Just be sure to use that old stuff in it!

INTERNATIONAL participation is welcome - but, prizes will be shipped at the expense of the participant.  

 ______________________________

Ready for another inspirational photo - sketch - and color scheme?! I think we're on a roll with fall - I'm pleased to tell you that's it's cooled down a bit from last week - so maybe my plan is working! 

This color combo and picture comes from one of my favorite color palette pickers - Design Seeds. If you have a moment you'll wanna head over and check out all the color amazingness on their website. You'll probably end up 'bookmarking' that website - SO COOL! 

REMINDER  - you can use the sketch - the photo - the colors - or all three --- OR none! It's completely up to you! 

I decided that my glitter pile has been completely neglected lately - Sigh. How I miss it - and so, I made a commitment to use it - starting with this challenge! Glitter doesn't have to be 'girly' ... it can be just the right BAM to highlight something in a masculine card too! 

This is my stash of glitter - I have it mostly color coordinated... and I really find it easier to use in these little containers. They're from Michaels... from the bead section. I wait for the 'bead storage' containers to go on 40% off sale and I run to go buy a couple. They're cheap and a great way to store LOTS of little parts/pieces. Perfect for our hobby! 

Ok, ready to see my card?! Hopefully it inspires you to get crafty - and glittery! 

BAM - I love this card! You can reach me at.... 'tired super mom' dot com! lol {I bet a lot of you can relate to that, right?!} I used the new stamp set... 

Super Mom 

So, now it's your turn! Get out those old piles of supplies and get creative! You'll surprise yourself - and you'll be so proud you USED WHAT YOU HAVE! 

Place your link below! 

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